Button-feeding instrumentality for button-setting machines



I. KELLY.

BUTTON FEEDING INSTRUMENTALITY FOR BUTTON SETTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 6. I915.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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'J. KELLY.

BUTTON FEEDING INSTRUMENTALITY FOR sunou SETTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED. QCT. 61 1915.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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J. KELLY. I

BUTTON FEEDING INSTRUMENTALITY FOR BUTTON SETTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 6, 1915.

1,398,026. Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- WWI woo:

J. KELLY. BUTTON FEEDING INSTRUMENTALITY FOR BUTTON SETTING MACHINES.APPLICATION FILED OCT-5.1915.

1,398,026, Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STAKES PAIENT OFFICE.

JOHN KELLY, OF NORFOLK. VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO KELLY BUTTON MACHINE COM-PANY, INQ, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

BUTTON-FEEDING INSTRUMENTALITY FOR BUTTON-SETTING MACHINES.

Application filed October 6, 1915.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JOHN KELLY, a citizen of the United States, residingat Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in ButtoinFeedingInstrumenta-lities for Button-Setting Machines, of which the followingis a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanyingdrawing.

This invention pertains to an improvement in button feedinginstrumentalities designed for use in button setting machines. Theinvention is adapted particularly for employment in connection with atype of machines wherein a coil of wire is placed in juxtaposition towire feeding instrumentalities, which instrumentalities automaticallyadvance the wire through the eye of a button. Such machines are providedwith means for forming the wire into staples, forcing the staplesthrough the material, and finally clenching the same.

In this particular art it has been customary to employ a raceway or feedtube designed for conducting the buttons serially to a point where thestaple wire will be accurately fed therethrough. The wire is fed throughby mechanism operated by a foot treadle, the severing mechanism, theforming die and the forming mechanism being associated with the foottreadle or power lever, the operation being performed consecutively andso by one stroke of the power lever or treadle.

Such machines have been illustrated in various earlier patents, amongwhich may be mentioned the patent to Olds and Ekland No. 368419. Thepresent invention contemplates improvements primarily in the buttonfeeding and button controlling instrumentalities.

More specifically stated, the present invention comprehends a buttonfeed or chute so constructed and arranged that the same may be adjustedfor different size button heads. It comprehends also the provision ofinstrumentalities for positively holding the button against snapping outor displacement when the same is in position to receive the stapleforming wire.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

Serial No. 54,365.

The invention also comprehends certain improvements whereby thispositive holding means is released at the proper interval and inaddition thereto suitable yielding means for maintaining the nextsucceeding button in position for advancement at the proper time.

There is illustrated in the accompanying drawing an improvement in thebutton hopper wherein the same may be rotated so that different sized ordiflerent styles of buttons may be fed to the machine, the hopper beinga duplex one and at the same time so jointed with the standard orsupport that the hopper may be tipped to discharge its contents shouldit be desired to replace one type of button with that of another.

In the accompanying drawing a machine embodying the invention isdepicted, but it is to be understood that various changes, alterationsand modifications can be made without departing from the nature andprinciple of the invention presently to be described and to be definedin the claims.

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of what is termed the head of thebutton setting machine, the standard which is of the usual type, beingomitted;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the head showing the button hopper broken away;

Fig. 3 is a similar view on an enlarged scale showing the movableraceway cap thrown back;

Fig. 4 is a section centrally through the raceway showing the near sideof the head broken away or in section;

Fig. 5 is a detail fragmentary view of the head of the machine showingthe raceway but with the wire supporting bracket removed Fig. 6 is asection on the line 22 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the head showing the rear portion of theraceway broken away and the clenching die supporting arm in section;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are details of the button feed and clampingiustrumentalities.

The standard A, base B and operating rod (7. as shown in Fig. 4. are ofthe usual construction, the standard being supported on suitable legsand the operating rod C being connected with the treadle mechanism, asis usual in this art. Mounted in the head between the supportinglegsthereof is a rock arm C to which the operating rod C i connected. Thisoperating arm is in the form of a bellcrank and has at its upper endalink connection C with staple cuttin forming and setting mechanism.This staple forming and setting mechanism includes a rocking member Gand a suitable spring operated clamping jaw C These part are allillustrated and described in my application for Letters Patent SerialNo. 86 1895, filed October 8, 1914i, and need not further be described.

Projecting upwardly from the cap plate of the head is an inclinedraceway part D, having a formed button eye receiving groove (Z extendingthrough the same from end to end. The lower end ofthe raceway terminatesadjacent the wire feed opening of the machine and the button eyeclamping and positioning jaw C Positioned at one side of the racewaymember D is a series of projections 65, which carry on their upper endsa plate D, the latter being removably secured to the projections (1. Atthe end of this plate are'outwardly projected sockets (5 D represents acover plate for the button raceway. This cover plate is provided withhinged members (Z embracing the sockets (Z and pivot- V ally supportedor held in hinged position by the pintle rod 65*. The position of thejoint ed or hinged connection of the cover plate is such that when the,plate is swung over to its position above the raceway'it will serve asa top cover plate for the raceway, maintainingthe buttons during theirmovement down the smooth surface of the part D in their proper positionand preventing the eyes of the buttons from escaping from the groove cl.

Conveniently the cover plate D is held in position by a spring Dconnected to the cover plate at a point intermediate its hingedconnection and its outer edge. The spring is tensioned so that it willhold the cover plate firmly in position over the fixed raceway memberbut permits the cover'plate to be forced. upward against the springpressure and overv to the position shown in Fig. 3,

thus exposing the fixed raceway partand the buttons therein contained.This is convenient for the reason that should it. be desired to removeall the buttons from the raceway as in the event of clogging, removalcan be asily accomplished. It is frequently desirable in these machinesto have the raceway adapted for different sized buttons. Heretofore ithasbeen suggested to remove the button race or raceway tube and replaceit with a smaller tube when a smaller button is to be used. This isnecesary in view or the fact that there must be aproper relation betweenthe supporting surface of the raceway and the top so as to prevent thebutton from rolling over or snapping out of the button eye groove.

By the employment of the swinging or movable plate D this variance inits position with relation to the fined part of the raceway may bereadily accomplished. Any suitable means may be employed to limit thedownward movement of the movable cover plate, but in the presentinstance it has been found convenient to form on the under side of theplate D somewhat back from its free edge, a flange (F, as shown in Fig.6. This depending flange assumes a position at the side of thestationary part of the raceway and in that position engages a squaredgage plate E. The plate E is mounted fixedly on a stem 6 of a hand wheelE, the stem passing through a bearing in the fixed part of the raceway,as shown in Fig. 6. The plate E may be four or more sided and iseccentrically mounted so. that the distances 7 from the center to therespective edges are different, one from the other. By this means uponthe turning of the gage plate with its shortest radii in a positiondirectly below the flange (F, the spring D will force the cover platedownward until it rests firmly on the edge of the gage plate. This willbring the cover plate in close proximity to the top of the fixed racewaymember so that small buttons can be fed through the raceway. Should itbe desirable to employ the machine with buttons having larger heads itis only necessary to turn the hand wheel and the gage plate until one ofits longer radii or sices is presented in opposition to the downwardmovement of the flange (Z Two adjustments are shown, but four may beeffected by the above described construction.

In machines of this character it often happens that a button. being fedwith its eye in position to receive the wire will be slightly canted sothat the wire will stri e the eye and tend to snap the button out ofposition. I have found it desirable to apply pressure to the top of thebutton in a manner which will not only seat the button properly but willtend to adjust it to its proper position against any slight deviation.To accomplish this, there is secured on the top of the plate D anelongated spring F, having its rear or upper end fixedly secured to thecover plate, and itslower end projecting slightly below the racewaydirectly above the button when the latter is grasped by the feeding andholding jaw C. At the lower or free end. of the spring F is secured aholding block f provided, on its under face with a V-shaped groovehaving its forward leg somewhat longer than its rear leg, as shown inFig. 4. This block 7 is centrally positioned so that it will embrace thebutton head, as shown in Fig. 7, and owing to the inclined surface onthe lower face, the button vill be prevented from tipping forward andthe eye will therefor be properly centered and positioned for thesubsequent operations of the machine. To remove the block f upon thecompletion of the stroke and to permit a subsequent button to bereceived in proper position, the following instrumentalities areemployed.

Keyed to the shaft of the bell crank C is an arm G, Fig. 1, while on thehead there is pivoted a trip lever G having its forward end positioneddirectly below a. sliding or reciprocating pin g, mounted in a suitableorifice extending vertically through the forward part of the head of themachine. The upper end of this pin is arranged to project directly belowan outstanding projection f on the spring F, while its lower end restsnormally against the trip G. Pivotally mounted on the trip member G is atoothed member g having its rear end projecting beyond the trip member Gand bent back in a manner to overlie the upper inclined edge of the tripmember. The tooth g is extended rearward into the path of the arm G sothat as the arm is rocked down it will strike the tooth member, thusdeflecting or tipping the trip member G, forcing up the pin 9 andraising up the holding block 7'. The tooth 9 is held in its normal position by a spring 9 connected to a fixed part of the machine and theforward end of the tooth, as shown clearly in Fig. 1.

Upon the operation of the treadle at the roper interval of time the endof the arm G engages the end of the tooth g forcing the pin g upward,raising the holding block. At this moment, or thereafter,the staple isclenched and the next succeeding button is ready for feeding intoposition.

It is advantageous to have a stop for the buttons at the moment theholding block is elevated and for this purpose two .small yieldingfingers h are employed, the same being extensions of a plate H, and arepositioned on opposite sides of the holding block. The plate H isconnected to the plate D by a hinged joint it which is cone veniently ofa spring type, a tight spring being employed to normally hold thefingers in position to stop the forward movement of the row of buttons.The buttons, owing to the slight resistance of the fingers, are easilymoved past the same as they are advanced forwardly through the machineafter the wire has been passed through the eye.

Associated with the button feed is a hopper of the twin type, that is tosay having compartments on the opposite sides of the center. This hopperis supported on a casting K extending from the head, there being pivotedto the lower end of the casting a carrier K, this carrier having an upand down movement around its horizontal axis. The outer end of thecarrier has pivoted thereon through a vertical axis, the hopper K Bythis means when it is desirable to turn the hopper completely around itis turned on the vertical axis, while should it be desired to tip thehopper over it will be turned on the horizontal axis.

To couple the hopper in position of adjustment a suitable side spring Lis employed, the same being fast to the stationary button race part, asshown in Fig. 1 and having an opening at its free end through which asmall pin Z passes, the same being projected from the hopper part. iVhenit is desired to release the hopper, the spring is moved outwardly torelease the pin Z. The outer end of the spring L is turned or bent toform a finger hold. Any convenient lever mechanism may be employed tooperate the agitator within the hopper. 'Such mechanism may be similarto that shown in my aforesaid application for patent.

An advantage in positioning the head setter and retaining fingers on theswinging cover plate for the raceway is that when it is desired toremove the buttons from the lower end of the raceway for any purposethis can be accomplished by swinging back the cover plate which willcarry the head holder and retaining fingers therewith, thus exposing allthe buttons in the raceway.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the button feed can bereadily and quickly adjusted for different sized buttons and that A thecentering and holding block for the button heads, owing to its flexiblemounting, may be quickly raised from a position where it will interruptthe downward movement of the succeeding button and likewise its pressureon the button head is yielding. The light retarding fingers serve onlyto prevent the buttons from moving beyond the operative position andyield readily to the movement of the button after the staple has beenformed and the button and staple carried forward.

Projecting forwardly from the front end of the rocking lever C inadvance of the spring operated clamping jaw C is a part G whichconstitutes a gage to indicate the point at which the machine willattach the button to the work.

aving thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a button setting machine. a button raceway, and means for varyingthe size of the raceway to fit different sized button heads comprising apivoted cover plate having its axis disposed on one side of the raceway.

2. In a button setting machine, a button raceway, and means for varyingthe cross sectional area of the raceway to accommodate buttons ofvarying sizes comprising a of the raceway to completely expose the same.

4. In a button setting machine, a button raceway, and a cover for theraceway'hinged for adjustment uniformly from end to end toward and fromthe raceway to vary the size of the raceway to' accommodate buttons ofdifferent sizes.

5. In a button setting machine, a button raceway and a pivoted coverplate for the raceway vertically adjustable to vary the size 'of theraceway and capable of lateral swinging movement out of the plane of theraceway to completely expose the same.

6. A'button raceway for button setting machines having apart adjustableto be swung laterally for adjusting the raceway to accommodate buttonsof different sizes.

7. In a button setting machine, a button raceway having a longitudinallyextending wall hinged for adjustment uniformly from end to end to varythe size of the raceway to accommodate different size buttons.

8. In a button setting machine, a button raceway having a longitudinallyextending wall hinged for adjustment uniformly from end to end to varythe size of the raceway to accommodate differentsize buttons, and meansfor adjusting said wall.

9. In a button setting machine, a button raceway having a longitudinallyextending wall hinged for adjustment uniformly from end to end to. varythe size of the raceway to accommodate different size buttons, means foadjusting said wall, said means comprising an adjustable part, and meansfor yieldably maintaining said wall in engagement with said part.

10. In a button setting machine, a raceway,a hinged cover therefor, andmeans for simultaneously raising or lowering each end of said coverrelative to the race-way, said means comprising an adjustable part and aresilient member for maintaining the cover upon the adjustable part.

11. In a button setting machine, the combination with a raceway member,of a part on one side of the raceway member, a cover member having apart projecting beyond the raceway member and having a pivotalconnection with said first mentioned part for adjustment uniformly fromend to end toward and from the raceway member, and means for maintainingthe cover member in various positions of adjustment relative to theraceway.

12. In a button setting machine, the combination with a raceway member,of a cover member having one side overhanging the raceway member, andmeans for engaging said overhanging side for moving the same outwardly,said means comprising a rotato vary the size of the raceway toaccommodate buttons of different size, said hinged means being locatedata point to permit one of the movable members to be swung entirely beyondthe vertical plane of the other.

14:. In a button setting machine, a raceway having a hinged upper part,with means located at the. side of the raceway for adjusting the saidhinged part, said means comprising a spring member and a manuallyoperable part adapted to adjust each end of the hinged partsimultaneously.

15. In a button setting machine, a button raceway part, a cover platefor the raceway part adjustably mounted with relation to the racewaypart, and an adjustable eccentric for limiting the downward movement ofthe cover plate toward the raceway part.

16. In a button setting machine, the combination with a relatively fixedraceway part, of a hinged cover plate, a spring for maintaining thecover plate in normal position, and means for limiting the downwardmovement of the cover plate, said spring and cover movement limitingmeans being located entirely upon one side of the raceway.

17. In a button setting machine, a raceway part having a buttoneyegroove therein, a cover plate part adjustably mounted with relationto-the said other part, a rotatable eccentric for limiting the downwardmovement of the cover part toward the other part, and means foradjusting the eccentric.

18. In a button setting machine, a raceway part having a button eyegroove and a swinging cover part pivoted to the machine on one side. ofthe button eye groove with means for limiting the swinging movement ofthe cover part comprising a stop member.

19. In a button setting machine, a raceway, a removable top for theraceway, a head holder carried by the top, and yielding fingerspositioned on opposite sides of the holder and secured to the said top.7

520. In a button setting machine, the combination with a raceway memberthrough which the buttons pass, of setting instrumentalities and a wirefeed, an adjustable guide overlying the button raceway, and means foradjusting said guide relative to the raceway member, said meanssimultaneously raising each end of the guide to move the same a uniformdistance throughout its length relative to the raceway member, saidadjusting means comprising a rotatable member carrying an eccentricallymounted part thereon.

21. In a button setting machine the combination with a staple formingand driving mechanism and a wire feed, 01": means for gripping a buttoneye to support the same to receive the staple wire and a gage carried bysaid supporting means fo indicating the point at which the machine willattach the button to the work.

In a button setting machine, a button raceway, a cover for the racewayadjustable toward and from the raceway to vary the size thereof toaccommodate different size buttons, a holding device to engage the headof a button and retain the same in position to receive the staple wire,means for periodically moving said holding device to release the buttontherefrom, and yieldable holding means for retaining the followingbuttons when said holding device is moved out of engagement with thebutton, said holding device and the last mentioned holding means bothbeing carried by and adjustable toward and from the raceway with thecover.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

JOHN KELLY. Witnesses J. MGBRYDE WVEBB, G. IV. STIDHOM.

